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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Hales Corners Veterans Memorial

For More Information, Contact:
Nancy Christopher-Wilkes, 414/698-4915 or nwilkes@wi.rr.com

For Immediate Release

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BUILD THE HALES CORNERS VETERANS MEMORIAL

Community has Formed an Intergenerational Band of Brothers to see Project through Completion

HALES CORNERS, Wis., (March 24, 2011) – A World War II Veteran and a 15-year-old Eagle Scout have formed an unlikely band of brothers to lead the campaign to build a Veteran’s Memorial in Hales Corners Park. As Co-chairs of the Veterans Memorial Committee, Retired Hales Corners Police Captain Howard Hingiss and Whitnall High School Freshman Mitchell McGlinn are hoping to break ground no later than Veteran’s Day in November 2011. For that to happen, it will take the support of the Village of Hales Corners residents to build it, brick by brick.

Plunkett Raysich Architects, a Milwaukee architectural firm, released renderings of the proposed memorial earlier this month. The design incorporates a Five-Pointed Star to honor the five branches of the United States Military – Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force. Each star point is equally placed in a circle so that no branch can be viewed above another and to represent the responsibilities of each branch to work together to serve and protect the interests of the U.S. The Pentagon-shaped memorial focuses inward, while the Five Points of the Star reach outward with five paths that connect to nature and other points of interest within the park, including the library and pool.

At the center of the memorial is a lighted U.S. flag on its own white plinth, which is symbolic of the human sacrifices made to God and Country. Brickwork encircles this plinth. Families and other groups can remember and honor veterans for their military service by purchasing a brick and having it inscribed with the names of their loved ones. The “tribute” bricks can be purchased for as little as $100 for an 8 X 4-in. brick and up to $5,000 for a 24x24-in. brick.

On Tuesday, March 29, at 6 p.m., a special concert honoring veterans will be performed by the music and band students at Edgerton Elementary, 5145 S. 116th St. Members of the VFW Post #299 will be in attendance in full regalia to lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and The Star Spangled Banner. Architectural drawings of the Veteran Memorial will be on display and the community will be able to ask questions and purchase “tribute” bricks.

The Hales Corner Veterans Memorial Committee has raised more than $55,000 to date, but will need to raise an additional 85,000 to reach its fund-raising goal of $140,000.